Bandwidth galore?

The author gives a user's perspective on the role of satellite systems in the provision of broadband access to remote regions. BT launched a broadband satellite service to the Scottish Highlands & Islands and Northern Ireland. In principle, such systems offer an attractive solution to the problem of delivering telecommunication services to remote, low-density regions, but will the system work? Will it appeal to the small office/home office user? Will it mean less investment in other technologies? This article looks at these issues from the perspective of a telecommunications and IT consultant, based in the North West Highlands-currently using ISDN2 for connectivity to the major networks, who took part in the early trial of the new BT satellite service.